Home
Search
thewest.com.au

South West AFLW Watch: Manjimup’s Dana East, Margaret River’s Ella Roberts feature in fierce western derby

Carly LadenSouth Western Times
PERTH, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 23: Dana East of the Dockers and Sasha Goranova of the Eagles chase the ball during the 2022 S7 AFLW Round 05 match between the West Coast Eagles and the Fremantle Dockers at Optus Stadium on September 23, 2022 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Camera IconPERTH, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 23: Dana East of the Dockers and Sasha Goranova of the Eagles chase the ball during the 2022 S7 AFLW Round 05 match between the West Coast Eagles and the Fremantle Dockers at Optus Stadium on September 23, 2022 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/AFL Photos via Getty Images) Credit: Will Russell/AFL Photos/AFL Photos via Getty Images

A fierce rivalry came to a head at Optus Stadium as two of the South West’s AFLW stars featured in the western derby.

In what was the closest and most entertaining AFLW western derby yet, West Coast brought the heat to their more experienced opponents at Optus Stadium on Thursday but fell just short, with Fremantle prevailing 3.8 (26) to 3.5 (23).

Manjimup’s Dana East and Margaret River’s Ella Roberts both featured in the midfield for their respective teams, with the pair starting as followers.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 23: Dana East of the Dockers tries to spoil a kick from Emma Humphries of the Eagles during the 2022 S7 AFLW Round 05 match between the West Coast Eagles and the Fremantle Dockers at Optus Stadium on September 23, 2022 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Camera IconPERTH, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 23: Dana East of the Dockers tries to spoil a kick from Emma Humphries of the Eagles during the 2022 S7 AFLW Round 05 match between the West Coast Eagles and the Fremantle Dockers at Optus Stadium on September 23, 2022 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/AFL Photos via Getty Images) Credit: Will Russell/AFL Photos/AFL Photos via Getty Images

While Fremantle skipper Hayley Miller took home the derby medal, East put in a solid effort for the Dockers, finishing with 10 disposals, a mark and six tackles.

Roberts also made an impact for the Eagles, managing 10 disposals, two hitouts and a tackle.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 23: Ella Roberts of the Eagles kicks the ball during the 2022 S7 AFLW Round 05 match between the West Coast Eagles and the Fremantle Dockers at Optus Stadium on September 23, 2022 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Camera IconPERTH, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 23: Ella Roberts of the Eagles kicks the ball during the 2022 S7 AFLW Round 05 match between the West Coast Eagles and the Fremantle Dockers at Optus Stadium on September 23, 2022 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/AFL Photos via Getty Images) Credit: Will Russell/AFL Photos/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Former Carey Park ruck Beth Schilling remains out with an ankle injury sustained earlier in the season, while former South Bunbury player Ella Smith is yet to make her AFLW debut.

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails